SEWALL@UCONNVM.BITNET (03/24/88)
Eric Koldinger <pasteur!ji.Berkeley.EDU!kolding@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Writes: >More interesting though is what effect this suit would have on the OS/2 >Presentation Manager. If IBM/Microsoft is held back from releasing that, >Apple will effectively kill (or at least seriously cripple) OS/2, effectively >giving them a huge lock on portions of the business market. THAT, in a nutshell, is the probable explanation. Although Xerox can claim to have "invented" the "point and click" interface and even the "mouse," Apple DOES have an agreement with Microsoft (which Apple can claim has been violated). A friend who is in new product management at IBM tells me that IBM intends to license the Presentation Manager from Microsoft and expects Microsoft to deal with Apple's claims (by paying royalties if necessary - IBM would not be happy paying a royalty directly to Apple!). Even if Apple loses in the end, a suit would likely delay the introduction of the Presentation Manager (not that Microsoft would really be ready to ship on the announced date, anyway <look how long Windows was delayed without a suit>). Even though that software has an announced pricetag of $795 and requires 3 Megs of RAM (and Microchannel architecture), it seems plausible that delaying it would be to Apple's benefit. A delay (even in all of OS/2) would hardly allow Apple to dominate business computing. Most businesses have NOT commited to OS/2, much less Presentation Manager (so far, not enough benefit for the cost). DOS 3.4 looks pretty good for most purposes. --------------------- Disclaimer: I like my opinions better than my employer's anyway... (subject to change without notice; void where prohibited) ARPA: sewall%uconnvm.bitnet@mitvma.mit.edu Murphy A. Sewall BITNET: SEWALL@UCONNVM School of Business Admin. UUCP: ...ihnp4!psuvax1!UCONNVM.BITNET!SEWALL University of Connecticut